Steering stabilizing device



4 NN l j June 5, E923.

J.HOFFMAN SEERING STABILIZING DEVICE Filed April ll,

.ww AL Patented alume 5, i923.

l STEERNG STABILZING DEVICE.

Application filed April 11, 1922.

To all '1a/10m it may concern.'

Be it known that JOSEPH HOFFMAN, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the countj7 of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steering Stabilizing Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an attachment for the steering mechanism for vehicles of the self propelling type and has reference more particularly to means 'tending to stabilize the steering mechanism in neutral position.

rin object of the invention is to provide a simple, strong and inexpensive device which will not require any alteration in the steering mechanism of a self propelling vehicle when applied thereto, and which contrivance can be easily and quickly attached to the steeringinecha-nism.

Another object of the invention is to provide an attachment of the class described which will reduce the shocks on the steering wheel and which will automatically restore the steering mechanism to neutral position.

The greater proportion of automobile driving is done in direct and approximately straight lines straight ahead. The slightest inattention upon the part of the driver may result in the front wheels swerving or jackknifing, which often results in accidents, and the object of my invention is to guard against these contingencies by producing an attachment which will automatically hold the vehicle in its course without the constant attention of the driver, While at the same time permitting the vehicle to be turned to either side when necessary.

This attachment will allow full turning radius of car and without straining the steering apparatus and will prevent radius rod from being bent when striking a curb or objects on the road as it will deflect the opposite direction, the springs taking up the shock. It will hold the car steady and tend to prevent accidents in case the steering apparatus should break and will further tend to dispel fear of accidents from the buckling of wheels when striking obstructions.

W ith the above and other objects in view, the nature of which will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, combina-- tion and arrangement of parts as herein fully described, illustrated and claimed.

Serial No. 551,703.

view on line drawings in detail,

wherein like numerals of reference refer to like parts throughout the several views, 10.

represents the conventional cross tie rod for connection with the front knuckles of the steering column. Said tie rod 10 is shown broken away and the knuckles are not shown.

Axle clips 11-11 are clamped to the front axle 12 and are secured thereon by means of the nuts 13.

Said clips 1,1-11 are provided with integral arms 14-14 projecting rearwardly and which terminate in integral annular portions l-i having the eyes or openings therethrough adapted to receive a horizontally extending spring barv 16, adjacent its terminals. The spring` bar 16 is squared adjacent its terminals in order to pass through said openings which are likewise square in contour.

Said arms lil-14 are held in position on said rod 16 by means of nuts 17-17, said rod 16 being threaded at its terminals to engage the threads on said nuts.

The nuts 17-17 are provided with the casselations 18 and cotter pins 19-,19 are inserted therethrough to prevent displacement of said nuts.

rlhe spring bar 1G is connected to the tie rod 16 by means of a forked member 20, having the integral arms 521-21, adapted to fit loosely over the bar 16 and projecting therebeyond to allow for the in and out movement of said forked member 20.

The said forked member 2O is bent outwardly on either side as at 25-25 to provide a clearance space between it and the tie rod 10 and is held in position on said rod 10 by means of the saddle clips 23-23 and nuts 24-24.

The arms 21-21 of the forked member 20 are adapted to fit loosely over the spring bar 16, as beforesaid, substantially, centrally thereof.` The por'tion of the rod 16 enclosed by said arms 21e-21, designated vby the numeral 22, is swaged or bulged to`for1n the shoulders 22-22 on the upper and lower portions thereof. Annular washers 26 and 28 are positioned around said rod 16 and abut against the arms 21--2L A coil-spring 27 is positioned around said rod 16 and is adapted for compression between the washer 26 and` an annular washer 26 on said rod 16 abutting an arm 14. A like coil spring 29 is likewise positioned around the bar 16 and is adapted for compression between the washer 28 and an annular washer 28 on Said y bar 16 abutting the opposite arm 14.

'released the engaged coil spring 27 or 29 will force the arms 21-21, and thereby the forked member 20, totheir normal position and therewith 'the tie bar 10, consequently restoring the Vsteering mechanism to its neutral position.

From the foregoing description, taken in l `desire to have it understood that the ldevice rod being provided between its ends withy stop ribs integral therewith, niea'nsfor attaching the vends of said rod' with the front axle, washers on the rod upon opposite sidesy of the ribsfcoil springs upon the ends of the rod engaging the washers, and a forked element embodying an offeset base secured to the'drag link and a pair of spacedl ears to engage between the washers.

ln testimony whereof l afX my signature.

JosErH HOFFMAN. 

